How to Make Super Crispy Oven Baked Fries

Once they are done baking, you will find the exterior is crispy while the inside is soft like a pillow. And I attempted to avoid using the method where you need to change the oven temperature halfway along the cooking time to crisp up the fries once the insides have cooked. Also, other alternatives where you use cornstarch to help with the outside crispness was too much work for me.

The trick, I find lies in the positioning of the baking sheet in the oven. The placement affects how much direct heat the fries get exposed to which you can play with to get the perfect fries every time at the same oven temperature. Read along and your life will change.

How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Fries

Use the Right Potatoes

Yukon gold potatoes are the best to get a creamy and tender center. While russet potatoes are also a close second, they have a tendency to become drier on the inside.

If I cannot find big Yukon gold or “yellow” potatoes, I tend to pick russet potatoes as my second option.

Soak Potatoes in Cold Water

Soaking the potatoes helps remove extra starch from the potatoes, and you only need to soak the cut potatoes for about 25 minutes. The water will turn white as the starch releases. This helps with making the fries more crispy. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 475 F.

Boil the Potatoes in Water

As the fries soak, set a large pot of water to boil. Add soaked fries to the boiling water and boil for 3-5 minutes, or until the potatoes are partly cooked but still firm. Drain the potatoes onto paper towel and gently pat dry. Then, transfer the fries to a large bowl and coat with olive oil.

Be Generous with the Olive Oil

Olive oil helps flavor the fries as they cook in addition to making the fries crispy. You can reduce the amount of oil, but I would not recommend baking this without oil or spray oil. Gently toss the potatoes in the oil. Layer a large baking tray with parchment paper and place the fries on it.

Season with Salt After Baking

I find that seasoning the fries prior to making tends to make the fries mushy as they cook because salt speeds up the cooking process. So by the time they are crispy, the fries tend to fall apart.

Once the fries are crispy, transfer to a large stainless steel bowl and immediately season with salt.

Baked Fries = Health Benefits 💪🏼

"If you keep portion sizes in check—no more than one medium potato in a given meal—and eat the fiber-rich skin, potatoes make a satisfying, low-cal, nutrient-rich side dish," says Michelle Dudash, RD, a Gilbert, AZ-based nutritionist.

• Potatoes contain more than 60 different vitamins and phytochemicals which are credited with improving heart health and protecting against lung and prostate cancers
• One medium baked potato provides 20% of your daily potassium requirement and helps maintain healthy blood pressure

Source: Prevention.com

Recipe Variations for Oven Baked Fries

• Cajun fries: Once fries are done cooking, simply sprinkle with Cajun spice and salt to taste. Here’s how to make Homemade Cajun Seasoning!
• Greek feta fries: Sprinkle the fries with parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice and crumbled feta cheese.
• Parmesan fries: Add generous amount of finely grated Parmesan to hot fries and serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions